April 16, 2012

A member of Canada Pork International's Board of Directors suggests that the establishment of new bilateral free trade agreements will be important for further expansion of Canada's pork exports.

In 1990, Canada exported US$711 million of pork but, since the establishment of Canada Pork International in 1991, that figure has increased to US$3.2 billion last year.

Arian de Bekker, a member of Canada Pork International's Board of Directors, told those on hand last week for Manitoba Pork Council's 2012 Annual General Meeting, two thirds of the pork exported out of Canada in 1990 went to the US but today Canadian pork is exported to 41 countries.

South Korea is of extreme importance to the Canadian pork industry.

The free trade agreement has just recently been given for the US to participate in allows them over a period of five years to get to a 0% tariff from what is today a 20% tariff.

Mr De Bekker says along with the federal government and Canada's Minister of Agriculture, Canada Pork International has been a major contributor to free trade discussions and CPI is anxious to participate in any trade mission that travels abroad to establish further trade alliances.